K-State's Hubert, Snyder share mutual appreciation

Senior running back closes in on 1,000 yards

Kansas State running back John Hubert, right, spins out of a tackle by Kansas linebacker Michael Reynolds during the Sunflower Showdown last month. Plays like this helped Hubert rush for a career-high 220 yards and move up to No. 2 on K-State's career rushing chart.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The smile on John Hubert’s face was one of pure joy and pride.

Hubert stood outside the visitor’s locker room at Kansas’ Memorial Stadium in Lawrence on Nov. 30 basking in the glory of Kansas State’s 31-10 victory over the Jayhawks in which he ran the ball for a career-high 220 yards.

That smile came not from the yardage total in the senior’s final regular season game — which moved him up to No. 2 on K-State’s career rushing chart — but from the compliment he received from Wildcats coach Bill Snyder.

“He told me it was the best game I ever played,” Hubert said. “He said I was a good back, and he was grateful to have me at Kansas State. It meant a lot to me. I’ve been here five years, and it was one of the most inspiring things he ever said to me in a one-on-one talk. I was very happy.”

Words of praise from Snyder are quite meaningful. Even in the best of circumstances there is a sliver of critique as Snyder dishes out the good with the bad. This day, as far as Hubert was concerned, all was positive.

“I’m blatantly honest,” Snyder said of his dealings with all players. “If you do well I’m going to tell you I believe you’ve done well, and if you don’t then I’m going to tell you I don’t think you did as well as you’re capable of and here’s what needs to be corrected.

“My dialogue with John after the (KU) ballgame was how proud I was — not the yardage, that was insignificant — but how proud I was of how hard he ran. There were times earlier in the season I had talked to John about running more aggressively because he’s so capable of that and it’s a strong point of his game, as opposed to trying to finesse your way through. That’s not his game.”

The Wildcats (7-5) need another good game from Hubert when they face Michigan (7-5) in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

“That’s huge for us,” quarterback Jake Waters said. “You go back and see when he’s had big games how much that has helped our offense. To have him get going will open up the passing game, and when Daniel (Sams) comes in his running and passing, too. It gives everyone confidence when John can get going on the ground.”

Hubert drew the immediate attention of Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison on Dec. 8 when the bowl pairing was announced.

“Hubert is an excellent running back,” Mattison said. “You don’t gain a thousand yards against the people they play if you’re not a great running back, which also means their offensive line is very good.”

Hubert has been productive as a three-year starter for the Wildcats, climbing to No. 2 in school history with 2,913 rushing yards, No. 5 in rushing attempts (583) and No. 6 in touchdowns (27). His rushing total ranks behind Darren Sproles (4,979), whom the 5-foot-7, 191-pound Hubert has been compared because of their diminutive size.

“We thought John was going to be a competitive young guy,” Snyder said of his assessment of Hubert when he signed with K-State out of Waco, Texas. “I liked his persistence and innate toughness about how he ran. He wasn’t the fastest guy in the world, and Darren wasn’t either when he was here. Both of them are reasonably small guys.

“I’ve said before there are some similarities and part of it is the lower body effectiveness, good leg strength and being able to stay on your feet. I perceived him to be the kind of running back he has been.”

With one game remaining in his career, Hubert has a coveted goal within reach. He needs only 32 yards to reach 1,000 this season, the benchmark figure that narrowly eluded him the past two seasons with 970 yards in 2011 and 947 in 2012.

Whether he tops that barrier or not, Snyder has great appreciation for Hubert.

“It would be a nice accomplishment for him to finish over 1,000 yards, but that doesn’t change my impression of John,” Snyder said. “Whether he gets 1,000 or 2,000 or 200, I appreciate him, and I appreciate the way he conducts himself. He’s done well in the classroom and he’s a good person.”

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